Posts Tagged ‘michael mauer’

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and the original Porsche 911, which he helped pen 50 years ago.

As a member of the eponymous Porsche family his name was on the door, as it might be said, but it was the cars Ferdinand Alexander Porsche will be remembered for long after his passing, yesterday, at the age of 76.

Indeed, the most important of those products only recently reappeared in its seventh-generation form, the iconic 911 that still looks much like it did when first unveiled at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show.

“The creator of the Porsche 911 has founded a culture of design in our company that distinguishes our sports cars even today,” said Porsche’s current CEO Matthias Mueller, recalling the influence of Ferdinand Porsche, the grandson of the man who founded the legendary automaker.

Porsche’s new product assault continues unabated, the German icon rolling into Geneva with an all-new version of the Boxster that it boasts is lighter, more powerful and more fuel-efficient, never mind a lot more appealing to the eye.

The design is more sculpted and “more mature,” suggested Michael Mauer, Porsche’s design chief, in a conversation with TheDetroitBureau.com. The overall look adopts more of a familial look shared with the new and well-reviewed 911, notably starting with the distinctive, sloping headlamps.

Your Auto Source!

Porsche migrated to an all-new aluminum body for the 2013 Boxster on display at the Geneva Motor Show, a move meant to reduce weight – by an average 55 pounds – improve handling and performance, and boost fuel economy.

In terms of mileage, Porsche CEO Matthias Muller promised a 15% improvement – though U.S. ratings have yet to be released.

The planned Porsche Cajun will be one of a number of new models the maker is planning, company officials told TheDetroitBureau.com

Porsche intends to more than double its current global sales volume – while maintaining its position as the world’s most profitable carmaker – with the steady addition of new products.

The maker believes that much of its growth, going forward, will come from emerging markets like China, Russia and India, but it also believes there’s a significant opportunity to build demand in established markets such as the U.S. and Europe, company officials stressed during a California preview of the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S. (For a review of the 7th-generation 911, Click Here.)

Power Up!

“It is our objective to remain the world’s most profitable auto manufacturer,” said Porsche Board Member Wolfgang Hatz.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the German maker can keep up with a Toyota or Volkswagen – in terms of raw dollars – but on a percentage basis it is setting the benchmark, with a target of holding at a 15% Return on Sales, or ROS, and a Return on Investment, or ROI, of 21%.